Is this picture right? The purpose of the Battle of Armageddon is gather the nations to destroy this old order in the symbolic “fire” of anarchy—in preparation for the blessings of a “new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17).
Armageddon will be unprecedented and unique in two ways: magnitude and target. It will be “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time” (Daniel 12:1). It will be “a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall” (Matthew 24:21 NAS).
GREAT TROUBLE FOR RULERS
But unlike past troubles, Armageddon will be targeted specifically at “the kings of the whole world.” Leaders in this world’s governments, corporations, religious institutions—those identified closely with this old order—will be specifically affected.
The symbolic Book of Revelation describes how these “kings” are gathered for the Battle of Armageddon:
Revelation 16:13-16 (NIV)
“Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. . .16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”
FINAL TROUBLE CENTERS IN ISRAEL
The final part of the Armageddon battle will be centered in Israel.
Zech 14:2, 3 says, “For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, … Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle.”
Zechariah continues in chapter 14:9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one.
16 Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.
17 And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, there will be no rain on them.
So there will be many survivors of the Armageddon battle in Israel. The people of the earth will need to come to Jerusalem to worship Jehovah or there will be no rain (showers of blessings)
THE WICKED PUNISHED
In all of man’s previous troublous history, not all have suffered. The wicked in high places actually have often escaped—and prospered.
Malachi 3:15 (KJV) “And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.”
Jeremiah 12:1 (NAS) “Righteous art Thou, O LORD, that I would plead my case with Thee; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with Thee: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?”
THE MEEK WILL INHERIT THE EARTH
In Jehovah’s Kingdom, of course, the reverse will be true! The “meek” will inherit the Kingdom (Paradise Earth). “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). While first the spiritual Church will inherit the earth, it will be turned over to the meek of the earth themselves. In fact, in the day of Jehovah’s Armageddon, the “meek” will begin to have an advantage.
Zephaniah 2:3 (KJV) “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.”
WHAT ABOUT JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES?
There is no scripture in the Bible that shows that only those in the JW organization will be spared Armageddon. Nor is there any passage in the Bible that teaches that all those who die in Armageddon will not have an opportunity to come back from the dead in the resurrection.
WORLD CONVERSION
Many of the world today who are noble and try to live righteously—are not Christian. They do not have the “pure language” of truth. But the Prophet Zephaniah clearly spells out how after Jehovah has gathered the nations to Armageddon and poured upon them the “fire” of His wrath, He will then turn to those people—who did not know or speak the Truth—understanding to believe the Truth!
Zephaniah 3:8-9 (NIV) “Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD, “for the day I will stand up to testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them—all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger. 9 “Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.”
So then, instead of people anarchistically participating in the “fire” of tearing down the governments and institutions of this old order—they will begin to serve Jehovah together, “shoulder to shoulder”!
Buddhists, Atheists, Catholics, Agnostics, Protestants, Christian Scientists, Hindus, even Jehovah’s Witnesses,—all will have surrendered their misconceptions of Jehovah and His Plan. Free from the delusions of the Adversary, they will have a fresh opportunity to choose righteousness and truth. Satan, the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) will have been bound; Jesus will have thrown him in the “pit” that he should “deceive the nations no more” (Revelation 20:3). Earth’s billions of those unsaved who go through and survive Armageddon will then have their first real opportunity to “learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9) and live forever! Then all those in their graves will come forth—generation back by generation—to also walk up the “highway of holiness” (Isaiah 35:1-10).
KINGDOM BLESSINGS
The “lame” and the “blind”—physically and morally—will be healed as they choose righteousness. All those who died because of Adam’s sin (1 Corinthians 15:22; 1 Timothy 2:6) will be ransomed to “return” to life!
Isaiah 35:1-10 “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 2 It shall blossom abundantly. . . .5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. . . .8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 9 No lion [Satan] shall be there, nor any ravenous beast [man’s governments and institutions] shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
GOD WILL BLESS ALL PEOPLE
Acts 2:18 – “on My menservants and… maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days”
Acts 2:17 – “in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on ALL flesh”
Gen.22:18 – “In your seed ALL the nations of the earth shall be blessed ” NKJV
Luke 2:10 – “the angel said…I bring you good tidings of great joy… to ALL people.” NKJV
Heb 2:9 – “But we see Jesus … that He … might taste death for EVERYONE.” NKJV
John 12:32 – “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL peoples to Myself.” NKJV
John 1:29 – “John …said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 6:51 – “the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”
Isa 40:5 – “The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And ALL flesh shall see it together ”
Hag 2:7 – “And I will shake all nations, and the desire of ALL nations shall come” KJV
TWO DISTINCT CLASSES SAVED – THE LITTLE FLOCK AND THE CONVERTED WORLD
1 John 2:2 – “He is an atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. – Weymouth
1 Tim 4:10 – God…is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. NKJV
Rev 22:17 – “the bride say, “Come!”… Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Rom 8:19,21 – “the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God… also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God NKJV
1 Peter 2:12 – “Gentiles… they may, by your good works… glorify God in the day of visitation.”
2 Thess 1:10 – He comes to be glorified in His saints & admired among all those who believe
2 Cor 5:19 – God reconciling the world to Himself & committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Acts 15:16-17 – I will rebuild tabernacle of David, So that the rest of mankind may seek LORD,
Rom 11:30 – through mercy shown you [Gentile Christians], they [Jews] also may obtain mercy
Salvation thru an organization? Come on, organization did not die on the cross for our sins… Organization is only an organization… paperworks, administration, media…
Anonymous,I like the way you phrased that….”organization didn’t die on a cross”….genious!
I like the way you phrased it also ANON. Been a long travel day for me so tell us about yourself ANONYMOUS are you a witness? I probably won’t see your answer until tomorrow but Ken and others might.
“But Jehovahs servants already belong to the ONLY HOLY ORGANISATION that will SURVIVE the end of this wicked system of things.” Watchtower 2007 Dec. 15 p.14
“But if we were to draw away from JEHOVAH’S HOLY ORGANISATION, there would be no place else to go for SALVATION and TRUE JOY.” Watchtower 1993 Sep. 15 p.22
Loyal to Jehovah – So Salvation can only come from the JW Organization? What in the Bible convinces you of that? I thought we were saved through Jesus?
John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Jn 10:9 – “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved”
Eph 2:18 – “through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”
Acts 4:12 – “there is no other name… among men by which we must be saved.”
Rom 5:1-2 – “having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus”
John 3:36 – “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” NKJV
Loyal to Jehovah, Please view this link to see a video made by present elders and JW. I think it will open your eyes. Althought personnally I think you have reasoned on this yourself and Br. Peter’s scriptures support the truth of the matter. Take care.
http://www.jwstruggle.com/2011/06/new-video-just-finished-has-god-always-had-a-visible-organization-on-earth/ . You might have to copy link and paste in your browser.
Thank you for the quotes.
I can certainly put them to use. That being said, as Br. Peter ablely demonstrated the Bible teaches that salvation comes through Jesus and not some organization. There isn’t much I can really add beyond that.
hi i am 12 years old i definetly agree with jacqueline becuz i am a witness and i know that only 144,000 will go to heaven however with anonmuys hell does not exsist at all armageddon is coming its very close if you go to a local kingdom hall or if an witness come to your doorstep take a magazine try it there not forcing you to and if one witness haz came to your door werent they nice friendly people they never yell at u if u dont take one plus if your interested about armageddon maybe they will give you a magazine about it and you can read it
I’d like to comment on the above reflection about Armageddon.This is one of the best explanations I’ve ever heard.There is no way any amount of evangelizing could ever reach all honest hearted people in any meaningful way.Like the ten plagues on ancient Egypt it’s going to take armageddon to get the attention of mankind.I was an active evangelizer and door to door preacher all my life.It seems little good came from most of my effotrts and made quite a few mad by being too pushy.Millions of people are waiting to get the straight dope from Christ himself at his coming and with so much religious confusion and misrepresentation today can you honestly fault them for feeling this way?
This whole idea is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! From evetything I have read while searching the internet to learn more about the “JW” cult, only 144,000 people will live after Armageddon. Come on people! There are WAY MORE JWs in this world than 144,000; what this means is, over half of this cult will die according to their “bible.” It is sad to know people can be brainwashed so badly. I pray that these people will open a King James Bible one day, so that they can reject their current way of life and find JESUS!! THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD! And by the way, the mark on your forehead or hand is the mark of the anti-christ. It is a first class ticket striaght to Hell. WHICH DOES EXIST.
Hi Anonymous, I can understand your frustration if that was taught. Having been one for over 60 yrs their belief is: Only a “great crowd” who have to be JW will survive armageddon. Only 144,000 is of the bride class that will go to heaven. All the billions of other people killed at armageddon (JW teaching not bible) will die forever and not receive a resurrection. JW teaches all billions would have had a witnesses and refused to become a part of the “earthly organization” after being preached to by door to door basically will die. Now JW claim to have a membership of some 7million although that counts the millions that have left if they didnot write a letter, even those that are disfellowshipped. So this gives you an idea of howmany JW says will survive. Armageddon is a war with the nations, the social order, the powers that be, to usher in the rulership of Jesus, then bring blessings to all mankind that survive armageddon ( not just JW) and all in gravedom too will rise from the dead. Please check this link to read more https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/category/judgement/ also this link willll help you to get a clearer picture from the Bible and what it really says. https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/category/paradise-earth-answers/. These are fpound to the left of the friends page. Hope this helps and thanks for visiting.
You are right, there are many more JW’s than 144,000 but the bible says that these 144,000 will be angels in heaven and reign with Jesus. The rest is known as the great crowd which are all those people who have done Jehovah’s will throughout their life, mainly Jehovah’s Witnesses, however those who were not able to learn about Jehovah or those who repent will be given another chance if Jehovah wants. Jehovah doesnt want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to have eternal life
Anonymous – Thanks for participating. Denominational Christians will also say as you did that, “Jehovah doesnt want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to have eternal life.” Then they turn around and put us and most of the world in Hell. The JW organization has everyone outside of it being eternally destroyed in Armageddon. Are you comfortable in thinking that the Bible supports this view and do you find it reflective of Jehovah’s character (loving 1 John 4:7-8 and longsuffering Psa 85:15)?
Will Only “Jehovah’s Witnesses” Survive Armageddon?
NOT , at all !
Jehovah is able to judge rightly the inhabitants of His earth
the truth is , however, that the judgement starts with/within JWs
and all the wicked ones will be “thrown outside”
the OUTCOME/RESULT of God’s right judgement at His House must be seen by all inhabitants of earth :
this Psalm has to be accomplished Psalm 58:
10. The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
>> 11. AND MEN will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
>> Surely there is a God who judges on earth!” <<
The result of God's judgement upon His House must fill with fear and respect for God ALL PEOPLE with a right appreciation for God's Justice
and God is able to identify these individuals , because He is the One reading the HEART of men.
Isaiah 57
15. For thus says the high and lofty One–He Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy:
I dwell in the high and holy place,
but with him also who is of a thoroughly penitent and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the thoroughly penitent [bruised with sorrow for sin]. A.B.
with appreciarion for God's Justice,
rus virgil
Thanks for the info Peter. I’m at work now but I will get time this weekend to study it. I am sure by Monday I will have more questions. Thanks again for all your hard work on this reply.
Jako371
Dan. 12:1 At that time Michael the great prince who stands watch over your people will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.
Please help me understand how Armageddon is not a judgment on wicked mankind (with the subsequent destruction of wicked mankind) but rather a judgment and destruction of leaders in this world’s governments, corporations, religious institutions & those identified closely with this old order. The reason I ask is due to the last part of Dan. 12:1 (which you referenced) which says, “But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.” This seems to indicate to me that the judgment and destruction is upon people not institutions. Please also ref. Rev. 20:12 and 21:27 which when cross referenced with Dan. 12:1 seems to indicate that the judgment and destruction is, A. Against people not institutions and B. Takes place at Armageddon and not in the millennium. I would really like to understand this better.
Thanks, Jako371
Jako371
Greetings, and thank you very much for posting your question which we will do our best to answer.
As a clarifying question, do you feel that the destruction of the wicked mankind would mean those people’s everlasting destruction (as in the second death, no hope of resurrection), or just a termination of life incidental to the destruction of the systems, but with a guarrantee of awakening in the Millenium for these individuals?
Hi Kris K.,
My thoughts on this subject are still forming. That being said, Dan. 12:1 mentions that those found written in the book would escape destruction during (at the end?) the Great Tribulation. I was always taught the GT was separate from Armageddon and that you could die during the GT and receive a resurrection. Armageddon was at the conclusion of the GT and in fact would divinely interrupt it so as to save the elect and execute divine justice upon the wicked (non-JWs). Those who die at that time (Armageddon) would experience second death. The G.T. was just the downward spiral of mankind but Armageddon was the conclusion of it and this was a direct act of salvation and everlasting execution by Jah. It would appear to me that this book in Dan. is the same as the book of life that is opened in the millenium in Rev. 20. Same book 2 different time periods, the resurrection during the millenium and in Dan. the book is referenced at the end of the GT, Armadeddon. Very confusing.
Jako371
Jako371,
This is a big topic. Kris and I may have more to say, but to get started, let me touch on some of the issues here with questions and answers.
1. Who are the “children of thy people?” in verse 1 (compare Dan 9:15,24; 11:32,33 “thy people Strongs 5971).
If “thy people” of Dan. 9:24 belongs exclusively to the Jews, it is exceedingly arbitrary to say “thy people” of Dan. 12 has no reference to the Jewish nation.
Dan 9:24 “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city…” KJV
Strongs 5971 “thy people” Same Hebrew word used in Dan 11:32-33 of Christ’s followers standing strong during the Dark Ages. 32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. KJV
So the Hebrew word “Strongs 5971″ is applied to both Israel (in Dan 9:24) and also prophetically of Christ’s followers. We find the same Hebrew word applying to Israel elsewhere:
Amos 9:14-15 – 14 I will bring back the captives of My people (same Strongs 5971) Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. 15 I will plant them in their land, And no longer shall they be pulled up From the land I have given them,” Says the LORD your God. NKJV
Zech 14:2-3 2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people (Strongs 5971) shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the LORD will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. NKJV
I believe that “the children of thy people” in Daniel 12:1 has reference both to Israel and to the followers of Christ.
2. When and how are they delivered? (Amos 9:14,15; Zech 14:3; C62)
For now, let’s stick with just natural Israel.
EVIDENCE OF ISRAEL BEING DELIVERED TODAY
• The Jews have been regathered to the land (Isa. 43:5-6 & Jer 30:3), never again to be removed (Amos 9:14) on the (millennial) day (Isa 11:11).
• First Jewish settlement called Petiteekvah (meaning, “door of hope” – Hosea 2:15) established in 1878 A.D. following permission from Berlin Congress of Nations.
• Fishers (Zionism) & Hunters (Nazi Persecution). (Jer 16:15,16).
• Remnant return weeping & crying after Holocaust (Jer 31:7-9).
• Land reclamation (Amos 9:14; Isa 35:1,2; Isa. 61:4). Rebuilding of cities, clearing swamps, irrigating deserts & farming the land. In the past centuries, Israel was a barren wasteland and filled with swamps and deserts. Now God has transformed Israel into a thriving farming country which exports much of its crops and is one of the most technologically advanced nations on the planet.
• The city of Jerusalem restored to the Jewish people (Zech 12:6) in that (Millennial) day.
• Other nations (trees) springing to life along with Israel (fig tree) (Luke 21:29-30) points to nearness of the kingdom. (figs=Israel Jer 24 & Matt 21:19). After 1914, many colonies of the European empires became independent natons.
3. Who is written in the book? What does it mean to be written in the book? Is this the same book mentioned in Rev 20:12?
Let’s look at some scriptures that mention books of life and remembrance.
Exodus 32:31, 32: And Moses turneth back unto Jehovah, and saith, `Oh this people hath sinned a great sin, that they make to themselves a god of gold; and now, if Thou takest away their sin–and if not–blot me, I pray thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written.’
Psalms 69:28 They are blotted out of the book of life, And with the righteous are not written.
Ezekiel 13:9 And my hand shall be against the prophets that see false visions, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the council of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of
Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord Jehovah. ASV
Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought
upon his name. ASV
Rev 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. NKJV
A special book in which the names of all the overcomes of this Gospel age are written.”
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out
of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. ASV
Rev 21:27 and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. NASV
Conclusions:
There are books of life and remembrance mentioned in the Bible indicate that Jehovah keeps a record of his faithful ones. The Day of Judgment is a thousand years long (1 Pet 3:8,10). Broad judgment occurs at the beginning and finally judgment of individuals at the end.
Today we see evidences of natural Israel being delivered (favor returning), but finally only the faithful of the Jews will be delivered out of Armageddon. Israel’s enemies seem to be winning at the beginning of the battle. Half the city of Jerusalem is taken (Zech 14:2). The proud are taken away and humble remnant remains (“that day” [Millennial Day] Zeph 3:11-13; Isa 4:3,4). Rebels (proud ones) won’t enter land (figurative of New Covenant arrangement). Ez 20:37,38. Israel is finally delivered out of Jacobs Trouble (Jer 30:3-7).
Also, the “children of thy people” in Dan 12:1, include the saints sleeping in death, those of spiritual Israel (the Little Flock) raised to a spiritual reward at the beginning of Jesus return (1 Thes 4:16, 17).
The “books opened” of Rev 20:12 are the books of the Bible finally opened up to be understood by all. The “Book of Life” will include those who during the 1,000 years become obedient to Jehovah. Of mankind, those resurrected from the dead who will not cooperate with the kingdom arrangement (see Rev 21:27), will not come into the New Jerusalem (earthly kingdom) and will not have their names added to the Book of Life.
not all of JW’s will be saved and jehovah says he “desires all to attain TRUE repentance so that none be destroyed.”
Wow, I agree with Mike and you. I won’t say much because I want Jako371 questions to stay up front until a BS answers him. Those are dyn-o-mite questions.
i’ve been studying with Jehovah’s witnesses for 2 years and while i agree with alot of what they say they have alot of skeletons in their closet that they don’t know or don’t want to know about.Ephesians 2:8-9 says by grace are you saved not by spending every waking hour witnessing,bible teaching and attending meetings this is how they are being controlled,but they are morally decent people who are comitted to the cause they just should not take every word from the WTS as gospel and should do their own research because any religious authority will twist things to suit themselves.They will receive the heavier judgement.May the glory of God be with you all amen.
Amen Steve. Since I began studying the Bible on my own and researching things that contradict things taught to me, I’ve realized how much more I can learn on my own. Like the Bible tells us, ” make sure of all things”, including the self appointed faithful and discreet slave. My eyes are now open and I’m making disciples of Christ as I was instructed to do. Many witnesses are finally seeing the true light getting brighter.May God Bless You